The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-06-09
THE SCHOOLS.

THE SCHOOLS.
| AUGUSTA MALE ACADEMY-W ESLEYAN
| FEMALE INsTITUTE-vIRGINIAF FEMALE
I NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. MALE ACADEMY
-FIsHBURNE's SCHOOL THE PUBLIC
| SCuOOLS-D., D. AND 3. INSTITUTION.
With the exercises of last week and
this. closed the services Of the various
educational institutions of Staunton and
Augusta. AS general thing the session
has been prosperous, and the prospect for
the coming year is bright.
Augusta Male Academy.
| In one of the fairest regions of the Val
| ley is located one of the finest male schools
of the South. Nature has spread no
grander feast for the eye than the stretch
of country that surrounds the Old Stone
Church. Fields of richest verdure reach
out on every side, relieved by stately
groves that overshadow homes where
plenty and contentment reign. Every evil
dence of judlcious management, OF care
| full cultivation and social refinement clus-
ter about the old historic spot In the
midst of such surroundings is located the
Augusta Male Academy, an institution
that stands at the very head of male
schools in Virginia. To the natural at
fractions which environ it, is added every
advantage that could conduce to the stu
dents welfare. Spacious and elegant
buildings, broad acres for exercise. deEct
and double daily mail in sight, and, just
adjoining, the old colonial church. Every
influence about the place is an influence
for good unmixed with evil. Away from
the STIR and hustle and unhealthy allure
ments of the city, and yet within imme-
diate rail connection with every point, it
would be difficult to imagine situation
more peculiarly adapted to the education
of boys and the development of genuine
manhood. The principal, Capt. Charles S.
| Roller, is born educator, q lover OF his
profession, and one whose signal success in
his special calling is attested not only by
the uniformly high character of his school,
but by the stand his students take when
they enter upon the broader field Of lies
dutlas-for whether in the most celebrated
universities of the land Or in the business
or professional walks, they step at once to
the front and hol1 their places there.
1t is not wonder that such a school is
the pride of the neighborhood, and that
the closing of its session each year IS the
occasion for the gathering of an audience
| chat fIlo tho cpooionc no II T. oyarfIOWinO
Last Monday was commencement day at
the Augusta, and one would imagine from
the looks of things in the region round
about that it was a general holiday. Bug
gies and carriages were hieing hither and
thither, daily casks we're suspended, and
neatly costumed and with beaming faces
the people for miles around came pouring
in. Staunton furnished its usual quota in
bevy of beaut full girls, who WED with
the bellies of the neighborhood in bewilder
ing the boys with showers of bouquets, to
say nothing Of the employment of those
other and more potent shafts from the
feminine CULVER that Joyous maidenhood
can use so we'll
In the morning the exercises consisted
of excellent music by the Springdale
Band. deelamations by the boys, and the
award OF distinctions, sc. The recitations
were models of their class, and could only
have resulted from competent, careful
training Of native talent. Some OF the
orators were young in years. but every
u sentence of each selection was delivered
with ain emphasis, expression and gesture
worthy of maturer youth. The DISCLAIMERS
were M. A. Ashby, John A. OFT, A. J.
Beville, S. B. Selg, Harry G. Gum, S. II.
;, Buchanan, J Cyrus McCue. F. B. Kenne-
dy. Charlie Roller, E. w. Parkins, John
L. Duncan, William Van DeVeer, II. M.
Sites, James a. Crawford, Walter S. Kerr,
Frank W. Bell.
At night the brightly iilumined hall pre-
scented a brilliant scene. Old and young
were gathered there, many of the maidens
being in full dress, and every face photo
graph of pleasant expectation. Nor was
there disappointment. The celebration of
the anniversary of the Literary Society
fully sustained the reputation gained on
former occasions. 1t was treat through
cut. and well deserved the enthusiastic
applause and floral testimonials that greet
ed each rendition.
The exercises were opened with fer
vent and appropriate prayer by Rev. Mr..
Bitter, after which Mr.. John J.. Duncan,
President of the Society, briefly intro
duced the programme in well-timed re-
| rt,c al In
; salutatory by Robert J. CARRIER. Then
came declarations by Farmwalt Hood,
William NJ. Slower and c. w. Harris. This
was followed by an original debate, the
contestants in the affirmative being Messrs.
John A. Alexander and John M. Paxton,
= and IN the negative by Il. II. Hodge and d.
O. Bird. The question was "Resolyed.
that 1t is antagonistic to the polity, lpsti-
buttons and welfare OF Republican gov
eminent that its citizens should individu-
ally possess vast and immoderate wealth. .
The discussion was animated and the ar
: gument throughout good.
, Then followed recitations by James E.
Lanier, G. p. shreckhise, W.. J. D. Bell,
John c. Blair, D. F.. Norman 9nl A. M,
Byrd. with the final Grafton by 2. W. Ros,
worth.
At intervals during the rendition of the
programme the band played number of
stirring tunes, and the ushers were kept
busy carrying flowers, each orator receiv-
| ing the floral offerings in such profusion
that several of the ladies gave up all hope
of receiving aoGers from the Stone
Church neighborhood for decoration day.
:, The programme was long but thoroughly
enjoyable, and even at it's conclusion the
> audience seemed 10th to dispense. Finally
the older folks started homeward, the
goats were removed from the floor, and the
oncomag generation commenced the
dance. Until after midnight merry
feet kept time to the music, and it was
early morning when some of the jewellers
rea0hed their homes. 1t was fitting close
! to prosperous and profitable session. and
the memory of it will ljngar long and
pleasantly with the many guests Of the
evening.
RIGTINCTIONS